Tondo residents demand amends

PALU, Southeast Sulawesi: Tondo subdistrict residents are threatening to block the main road leading to Tadulako University unless they receive adequate compensation for land appropriated from them 16 years ago.

The disputed 250-hectare tract of land was used as the site of the university.

Community elders led a delegation of about 100 residents to present their demands to provincial legislators here.

Tondo community leader Djenman Lingulemba said the land was taken away from them by force through Gubernatorial Decree No. 109/AL.012/XI/1981.

He added that no compensation was given to residents who had been working and living on the land for years.

He said formal channels pursued to resolve the matter amicably had failed.

"We've really had enough and we're all tired of trying," he said as quoted by Antara.

"If in a week we don't get any compensation for the land which was forcefully taken away from us, we will close down the main road, including the main gate," he warned.

No specific amount was mentioned on how much the residents wanted for compensation.